COLUMBUS - A federal grand jury has charged Andre W. Byrd, A.K.A. “Fat Dre", 39, of Pickerington, Ohio, with one count of the possession of a firearm, one count of the possession of heroin, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a superseding indictment returned in Columbus.
Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs announced the superseding indictment returned today.
The superseding indictment alleges that on or about Oct. 23, 2014, Byrd, a convicted felon, possessed two firearms and also heroin. The defendant also allegedly conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine from 2011 until October of this year. The superseding indictment alleges that Byrd laundered money through the purchase of vehicles (a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2013 Toyota Tundra) for himself.. Byrd also allegedly deposited large sums of money into a family member’s bank account that was used to rent residences and pay bills and credit card expenses.
The superseding indictment also seeks the forfeiture of two firearms and ammunition, $10,000 in currency that was seized from his residence, a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass, and jewelry.
Possession of a firearm of a convicted felon is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Heroin and cocaine conspiracy charges can include a sentence of up to 40 years imprisonment. Money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Byrd was arrested on Nov. 3, 2014 by IRS and Columbus Division of Police. He remains in custody.
“The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs. Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations," said Kathy A. Enstrom, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Cincinnati Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation is committed with taking the profit away from the drug traffickers and putting those individuals in jail."
U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the investigation of this case by the IRS Criminal Investigation, including Special Agent Robert Bogner, and the Columbus Division of Police, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Kelley, who is prosecuting the case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
